Autologous transfusion of shed pleural blood in trauma: a pilot study of hemothorax blood properties
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Background: Direct autotransfusion of shed pleural blood in a trauma setting as an alternative to transfusion of banked blood in patients with (massive) traumatic hemothorax is a tested, working and used methodology at some trauma centers throughout the world. Aim: The aim of this study was to summarize previous research in the field and analyze properties of blood retrieved from the pleural cavit y (hemothorax) to appraise suitability for re Methodinfusion. This was a prospective descriptive study of adult patients with traumatic hemothorax where >100ml of blood was drained upon chest tube insertion, which is standard of care for this condition. S hed pleural blood was mixed with c itrate phosphorous dextrose (CPD) filtered through a transfusion aggregate before laboratory testing to simulate actual conditions. The samples were analyzed for blood cell and counts, coagulation variables, electrolytes, and proinflammatory cytokines (Il to venous samples and reference values. Results: Ultimately, only one patient could be6 & TNF α). Test results were the n compared included in the study, thus making it difficult to reach general conclusions. However, in line with previous research, our laboratory results of shed pleural blood (from long standing hemothorax) demonstrated sufficient oxygen carrying capability, but low platelet count and impaired coagulation. Conclusion: Based on published literature and our very limited prospective pilot study we cannot establish whether aut otransfusion should be introduced at Swedish trauma centers. We can speculate that autologous blood transfusion is a good option in mass casualty situations with shortage of donated blood products, or in the prehospital setting with no blood products avai lable. However, we cannot conclude whether it is equivalent/better than conventional blood component resuscitation during normal conditions. We recommend future clinical research regarding the relationship between duration in the pleural cavity and hemosta of drained blood.